Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings as he requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The appeal regarding periodontal disease, back disability, gastrointestinal disability, and acquired psychiatric disability is remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development to obtain relevant private treatment records and to clarify VA medical opinions regarding the severity of the appellant's disabilities during the period on appeal.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance with respect to whether an evaluation of 40 percent is warranted. The decision does not address service connection theory or exposure basis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis with spondylosis of the lumbar spine (claimed as pain) is granted based on a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion and further development is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. Service connection was also granted for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and sinusitis.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence to readjudicate the claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and a chronic back disorder.,Further development is required as per the PACT Act requirements.

The Veteran's right and left knee meniscal tears with dislocated semilunar cartilage are rated at 20 percent each, effective September 24, 2019. The Veteran's left knee instability is also rated at 10 percent, effective September 24, 2019. However, the lumbosacral strain to include degenerative arthritis of the spine remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability (diagnosed as IVDS and degenerative arthritis of the spine) based on evidence showing that it began during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete service treatment records and inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has determined that there is a need for additional medical examination and opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's low back disabilities, particularly whether they are related to service or caused by his service-connected bilateral flat feet.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Board has denied service connection for thoracolumbar and cervical spine conditions, as well as bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy.,Service connection was not established due to lack of evidence linking the current disabilities to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her helpless or so nearly helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person. The case is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if there are any additional factors contributing to her need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the service connection for a lumbar spine injury before the Board could make a decision.

The Board finds that the Veteran's June 2017 VA Form 9 substantive appeal was timely filed, and as a result, the underlying claims under the legacy system must be reinstated. The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was received regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for left thumb fracture residuals, a left shoulder disability, and a left foot disability. As such, these claims are being remanded to allow for further review.,Service connection is granted for left ankle osteoarthritis and lumbar disc disease with right radiculopathy (back disability). Service connection is denied for service connection for left thumb fracture residuals, a left shoulder disability, and a left foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back condition is related to his in-service duties, including lifting heavy weights for two years. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities were restored to their original levels due to the failure of the VA examinations to be as 'full and complete' as the initial examination, indicating that there was not reasonable certainty of improvement under ordinary conditions.